Robert Bourne (developer)
Encyclopedia
Robert Bourne is a British
property developer, entrepreneur
and philanthropist
who was born in London
, UK. Over the past 30 years Bourne has amassed a vast property and leisure empire in London and France
and has achieved wide recognition for his patronage of the dramatic arts with his wife, theatre impresario, Sally Greene OBE.
Thought to be currently worth between 50 - 75 million GBP
Recently, Robert Bourne established an International Division which includes two prestigious hotels in France, in Courchevel and St Tropez. However in a move widely condemned locally, Bourne purchased and immediately gave notice of closing within a month the charming little zoo of St Jean Cap Ferrat, with animals to be dispersed elsewhere and replaced by a luxury spa. He has since agreed to sell the land and zoo at the price he paid, i.e. around 20 million Euros, to any public body interested in buying.
He and his wife park their two luxury cars outside their house in Cheyne Walk, Chelsea. They are recognizable by their personalised number plates - "2 BE" and "NOT 2B".
In 1998 The Old Vic
was in decline and faced threats of becoming a lap dancing club. After public outcry and a plea from the Culture Secretary, Chris Smith
MP for a patron to step forward and purchase the theatre. Robert Bourne and Sally Greene set up The Old Vic Theatre Trust, acquired the theatre, and secured its position as an iconic London landmark. In 2003 Bourne and his wife persuaded Oscar-winning American actor Kevin Spacey
to take on the role as artistic director, and the theatre has never looked back.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
property developer, entrepreneur
Entrepreneur
An entrepreneur is an owner or manager of a business enterprise who makes money through risk and initiative.The term was originally a loanword from French and was first defined by the Irish-French economist Richard Cantillon. Entrepreneur in English is a term applied to a person who is willing to...
and philanthropist
Philanthropist
A philanthropist is someone who engages in philanthropy; that is, someone who donates his or her time, money, and/or reputation to charitable causes...
who was born in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, UK. Over the past 30 years Bourne has amassed a vast property and leisure empire in London and France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
and has achieved wide recognition for his patronage of the dramatic arts with his wife, theatre impresario, Sally Greene OBE.
Thought to be currently worth between 50 - 75 million GBP
Recently, Robert Bourne established an International Division which includes two prestigious hotels in France, in Courchevel and St Tropez. However in a move widely condemned locally, Bourne purchased and immediately gave notice of closing within a month the charming little zoo of St Jean Cap Ferrat, with animals to be dispersed elsewhere and replaced by a luxury spa. He has since agreed to sell the land and zoo at the price he paid, i.e. around 20 million Euros, to any public body interested in buying.
He and his wife park their two luxury cars outside their house in Cheyne Walk, Chelsea. They are recognizable by their personalised number plates - "2 BE" and "NOT 2B".
Millennium Dome
In 2001 Robert Bourne led a consortium of high-profile investors in a bid to buy the Millennium Dome from the Government. The Legacy consortium bid £125m for the Dome, planning to turn it into a high-tech “Knowledge City”.Philanthropic activity
The Old VicIn 1998 The Old Vic
Old Vic
The Old Vic is a theatre located just south-east of Waterloo Station in London on the corner of The Cut and Waterloo Road. Established in 1818 as the Royal Coburg Theatre, it was taken over by Emma Cons in 1880 when it was known formally as the Royal Victoria Hall. In 1898, a niece of Cons, Lilian...
was in decline and faced threats of becoming a lap dancing club. After public outcry and a plea from the Culture Secretary, Chris Smith
Chris Smith
- Politics :*Chris Smith , Florida State Senator*Chris Smith, Baron Smith of Finsbury , former British Member of Parliament and government minister*Chris Smith , U.S...
MP for a patron to step forward and purchase the theatre. Robert Bourne and Sally Greene set up The Old Vic Theatre Trust, acquired the theatre, and secured its position as an iconic London landmark. In 2003 Bourne and his wife persuaded Oscar-winning American actor Kevin Spacey
Kevin Spacey
Kevin Spacey, CBE is an American actor, director, screenwriter, producer, and crooner. He grew up in California, and began his career as a stage actor during the 1980s, before being cast in supporting roles in film and television...
to take on the role as artistic director, and the theatre has never looked back.